iPad Air 2 and Contact Key Verification

I was given an old I Pad Air 2 by my wife. I erased all contents and settings and started setting it up for myself. Everything was going fine until I opened iMessage. As soon as I open it, I get the following message

“iMessage Activation

iMessage could not be activated on this device because your Apple ID has contact key verification turned on.”

My only options are to Cancel which simply brings that same message up again or to Show Details which takes me to an Apple webpage that explains Contact Key Verification. (CKV)

I have turned off CKV on my Apple devices and am still getting the message. Bottom line is I can’t get text messages on that iPad. FYI this is a WiFi only iPad.